Babylon Dead taking over

2000 BD is the highly anticipated debut album from Babylon Dead, released through RLD Records (Real.Life.Drama founded by Leaf Dog and BVA MC) and consisting of Jman on vocals and Illinformed on production duties.

Hip-hop is a melting pot of musical genres, styles and cultures, and from its conception, it has sampled and built something new out of something pre-existing. Babylon Dead are a unique breed, drawing heavily on the reggae roots of hip-hop, and particularly UK hip hop’s roots in the Soundsystem culture that brought up pioneers such as Roots Manuva and Rodney P who were hugely influenced by dancehall DJ’s such as Yellowman, Eek-A-Mouse and Fathead, to name just a few. Babylon Dead allows Jman to flex his ragga flow over Illinformed’s beats.

As the name Babylon Dead suggests, the album carries highly anti-establishment themes throughout. Reggae and dancehall have always been rebelling music, with messages of protest and resistance. Combine that with hip hop’s social commentary and Babylon Dead’s militarised offensive, and you get a release that attacks all frequencies.